Holley Medal

The Holley Medal was established in 1924 to honor Alexander Lyman Holley, charter member of ASME. It is awarded for outstanding and unique act(s) of an engineering nature, accomplishing a noteworthy and timely public benefit by one or more individuals for a single achievement, provided the contributions are equal or comparable.

This medal commemorates Alexander Lyman Holley (1832-1882), who chaired the first meeting of ASME’s founders, Feb. 16, 1880, and was the principal author of the Society’s first by-laws.

Mr. Holley is recognized for introducing the Bessemer process of steelmaking to the United States, thus making large quantities of steel economically available to support a rapid growth in American industry during the late-nineteenth and the twentieth centuries.

Attention shall be concentrated on the brilliance of the art --not on the individual. The achievement should be of such public importance as to be worthy of the gratitude of the nation and to call forth the admiration of engineers.

In 1973, eligibility for this award was amended to recognize more than one individual for a single achievement, provided that each individual made an equal or comparable contribution.